Mechanism of Action of Yin Nourishing and Heat Clearing Prescription in Treating Cough Variant Asthma Based on Network Pharmacology and Molecular Docking Verification.

Objective: To explore the mechanism of action of the yin nourishing and heat clearing prescription in treating cough variant asthma (CVA) based on network pharmacology (NP). Methods: The active ingredients and targets of the yin nourishing and heat clearing prescription were screened using the Traditional Chinese Medicine System Pharmacology Analysis Platform (TCMSP); CVA targets were screened by the GeneCards, NCBI gene, and OMIM databases to construct the component-target network and the protein-protein interaction (PPI) network. GO functional enrichment analysis and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis of the target genes were performed to construct the component-disease-pathway-target biological network. Moreover, CVA-related core target structures with high values were subjected to molecular docking (MD) with the active components. Results: We found 265 eligible targets in the prescription and 1115 CVA-related genes. The medicine targets were intersected with disease targets, which yielded 148 common targets. After topology analysis, 66 key targets were screened. Upon GO functional annotation, 2408 biological processes, 153 molecular functions, and 162 KEGG pathways were enriched. Molecular docking results suggested that the major active ingredients of the prescription showed high affinity to the key targets, among which AKT1 might be the most important target. Conclusions: Active ingredients might act on AKT1, IL-6, VEGFA, IL-1B, and JUN to suppress eosinophil accumulation, decrease histamine release, suppress airway inflammation, regulate the airway immune microenvironment, increase autophagy in lung tissue, inhibit mucus production, and reduce airway resistance and hyperresponsiveness, thus treating CVA. Our findings provide a reference for further research and clinical applications of the prescription.

Utilizing network pharmacology and experimental validation to explore the potential molecular mechanisms of BanXia-YiYiRen in treating insomnia.

BanXia-YiYiRen (Pinellia Ternata and Coix Seed, BX-YYR) has been clinically proven to be an effective Chinese medicine compatible with the treatment of insomnia. However, the underlying mechanism of BX-YYR against insomnia remains unclear. This study aimed to explore the pharmacological mechanisms of BX-YYR in treating insomnia based on network pharmacology and experimental validation. The drug-disease targets were obtained using publicly available databases. The analysis revealed 21 active compounds and 101 potential targets of BX-YYR from the pharmacological database of Chinese medicine system and analysis platform (TCMSP) and 1020 related targets of insomnia from the GeneCards and Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man (OMIM) databases. Furthermore, 38 common targets of BX-YYR against insomnia were identified, and these common targets were used to construct a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network. The visual PPI network was constructed by Cytoscape software. The top three genes from PPI according to degree value are FOS, AKT1, and CASP3. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment were applied to reveal the potential targets and signaling pathways involved in BX-YYR against insomnia, especially the serotonergic pathway. In addition, molecular docking revealed that baicalein, beta-sitosterol, and stigmasterol displayed strong binding to AKT1, FOS, PRKCA, and VEGFA. Experimental study found that BX-YYR against insomnia might play a role in improving sleep by modulating the serotonergic pathway. In summary, our findings revealed the underlying mechanism of BX-YYR against insomnia and provided an objective basis for further experimental study and clinical application.

Tongxinluo Ameliorates Myocardial Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury Mainly via Activating Parkin-Mediated Mitophagy and Downregulating Ubiquitin-Proteasome System.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the protective effects and mechanism of Chinese herbal compound Tongxinluo Capsule (, TXL) on the Parkin-mediated mitophagy and the ubiquitin-proteasome system in a rat model of myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury (MIRI). METHODS: Seventy adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 7 groups: sham group, MIRI group, low- and high-dose TXL (0.5 and 1 g·kg-1·d-1, respectively) groups, atorvastatin (ATV) group (7.2 g·kg-1·d-1), chloroquine (CQ) group (10 g·kg-1·d-1), and highdose TXL + CQ group. After pharmacological administration for 7 days, rats underwent left anterior descending artery ligation surgery to establish the MIRI models with 50 min ischemia followed by 4 h reperfusion. Blood was taken for cardiac troponin I (cTnI) detection and hearts were harvested for infarct staining and apoptosis detection. The autophagy or mitophagy proteins and ubiquitinated proteins were detected by Western blotting. RESULTS: Compared with the sham group, the MIRI group exhibited a larger infarcted area (27.13%±0.01%, P<0.01), a higher apoptotic index (34.33%±2.03% vs.1.81%±0.03%, P<0.01), and higher cTnI expression (14.18±1.01 vs. 7.96±0.32, P<0.01). The mitochondrial integrity was damaged in the MIRI group, while TXL and ATV alleviated the damage of MIRI. More autophagosomes were observed in the high-dose TXL group than in the MIRI group (7.00±0.58 vs. 4.33±1.15, P<0.05). More amounts of PTEN-induced putative kinase protein 1 (PINK1) and Parkin translocated onto the mitochondria were detected in the high-dose TXL group than in the MIRI group (P<0.05). The ubiquitin response was signifificantly downregulated in the high-dose TXL group relative to the MIRI group (P<0.05). CQ administration abolished the activation of autophagy flux and the PINK1/ Parkin pathway induced by high-dose of TXL. CONCLUSIONS: TXL ameliorates MIRI via activating Parkin-mediated mitophagy in rats. The downregulation of the ubiquitin-proteasome system is also involved.

Early Intervention of Tongxinluo () on Right Ventricular Function Assessed by Echocardiography in Rats with Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension Induced by Monocrotaline.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of early intervention of Tongxinluo (, TXL) on right ventricular function (RVF) of rats with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) induced by monocrotaline (MCT). METHODS: A total of 30 adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were assigned to 5 groups with complete random experiment design: Sham group (Sham), MCT group, TXL group, sildenafil (SIL) group and combination group (TXL+SIL), 6 rats in each group. Rats were injected with 50 mg/kg MCT solution for inducing PAH model except for those in the sham group. From the day of modeling, rats of TXL, SIL and TXL+SIL groups were given TXL (1.2 g/kg), SIL (10 mg/kg) and combination solution (TXL:1.2 g/kg, SIL: 10 mg/kg) respectively, and rats in Sham and MCT groups were given normal saline (5 mL/kg). The samples were collected and tested after 21 consecutive days of intragastric administration. Echocardiography was used to measure the related indices of RVF, including pulmonary arterial flow spectrum, pulmonary artery diameter (PAD), right ventricular wall thickness (RVWT), right ventricular diameter (RVD), tricuspidannular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE), right atrium transverse diameter (RAT), and inferior vena cava diameter (IVCD). Elastic Verhoeff-Van Gieson staining was adopted to measure the percentage of wall thickness (WT%) of pulmonary arteriols. Hematoxylin-eosin staining was used to measure the cross-sectional area (CSA) of right ventricular cardiomyocytes. RESULTS: MCT-induced PAH rat model was successfully established. In MCT group the wall of pulmonary arterioles exhibited a prominent-increase thickness, PAD, RVWT, RVD, RAT, IVCD, WT%, right ventricular hypertrophy index (RVHI) as well as CSA of RV cardiomyocyte significantly increased (all P<0.01), and TAPSE markedly decreased (P<0.01). At the same time, TXL prominently improved all of the above indices (all P<0.01). In comparison with SIL, TXL significantly reduced RVD (P<0.05) and decreased CAS of RV cardiomyocytes (P<0.01), but TAPSE in SIL group was much larger than in TXL group (P<0.01). Moreover, TAPSE in TXL+SIL group was larger than that in TXL group (P<0.01), while the two groups performed equally well in terms of the other indices. CONCLUSION: Early intervention of TXL could inhibit pulmonary arterioles remodeling, and improve RVF by attenuating right ventricular hypertrophy, and TXL has a stronger effect on inhibiting right ventricular remodeling than SIL.

Preventive effect of Tongxinluo on endothelial survival and vascular integrity, together with inhibition of inflammatory reaction in rats model of intestine ischemia/reperfusion injury.

This study was design to investigate preventive function of Tongxinluo (TXL) capsule on micro vascular function and endothelial survival in rats model of intestine ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury. We randomly divided fifty male Sprague-Dawley rats into Sham group, I/R group, TXL0.4+I/R group, TXL0.8+I/R group, TXL1.6+I/R group (10 rats each). Rat intestine I/R injury was carried out using a model of acute superior mesenteric artery occlusion with 30 min ischemia followed by 60 min reperfusion. The distribution of endothelial apoptosis in intestine was determined by CD31+TUNEL immunofluorescent double staining analysis. VE-Cadherin, ANGPTL4, HMGB1 and NF-κB were determined by immunohistochemical analysis. I/R induced massively endothelial cell apoptosis, accompanied with reduced expression of adherens junction protein VE-Cadherin and up regulation of inflammatory mediator HMGB1 and NF-κB. TXL pretreatment groups (TXL0.4+I/R, TXL0.8+I/R and TXL1.6+I/R group) significantly attenuated endothelial cell apoptosis with a dose-dependent effect. TXL pretreatment could maintain the expression of VE-Cadherin and promote the expression of ANGPTL4 which help to maintain endothelial integrity. TXL pretreatment also exert great influence in inhibiting HMGB1 expression and NF-κB expression induced by I/R. It could be concluded from this study that micro vascular dysfunction and endothelial damage play a causal role in rat intestine I/R injury. TXL pretreatment could significantly prevent the I/R induced pathology of endothelial apoptosis, micro vascular integrity disruption and inflammatory reaction.

HEMORHEOLOGY INDEX CHANGES IN A RAT ACUTE BLOOD STASIS MODEL: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW AND META-ANALYSIS.

BACKGROUND: Blood stasis has received increasing attention in research related to traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and integrative Chinese and Western medicine. More than 90% of research studies use hemorheology indexes to evaluate the establishment of animal blood stasis models rather than pathological methods, as hemorheology index evaluations of blood stasis were short of the consolidated standard. The aim of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of hemorheology indexes in rat models of acute blood stasis (ABS) based on studies in which the ABS model had been confirmed by pathological methods. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We searched the Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure database (CNKI), Chinese Medical Journal Database (CMJD), Chinese Biology Medicine disc (CBM), Wanfang database, and PubMed for studies of rat blood stasis models; the search identified 18 studies of rat ABS models induced by subcutaneous injection of epinephrine combined with an ice bath. Each included study received a modified Collaborative Approach to Meta-Analysis and Review of Animal Data from Experimental Studies (CAMARADES) score list and methodological quality assessment, then data related to whole blood viscosity, plasma viscosity, platelet aggregation rate, erythrocyte aggregation index, and fibrinogen concentration were extracted. Extracted data were analyzed using Revman 5.3; heterogeneity was tested using Egger's test. RESULTS: A total of 343 studies of rat blood stasis were reviewed. Eighteen studies were included in this meta-analysis; the mean CAMARADES score was 3.5. The rat ABS model revealed a significant increase in whole blood viscosity (medium shear rate), whole blood viscosity (high shear rate), plasma viscosity, platelet aggregation rate, erythrocyte aggregation index, and fibrinogen concentration compared to controls, with weighted mean differences (WMD) of 2.42 mPa/s (95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.73 - 3.10); 1.76 mPa/s (95% CI = 1.28 - 2.24); 0.39 mPa/s (95% CI = 0.24 - 0.55); 13.66% (95% CI = 9.78 - 17.55); 0.84 (95% CI = 0.53 - 1.16); and 1.22 g/L (95% CI = 0.76 - 1.67), respectively. Subgroup analysis showed that whole blood viscosity, plasma viscosity, and the platelet aggregation rate test methods were more sensitive when measured at 0-24 h than at 24-72 h after induction of blood stasis. CONCLUSIONS: Rat blood stasis studies have incomplete experimental design and quality controls, and thus need an integrated improvement. Meta-analysis of included studies indicated that the unified hemorheology index of whole blood viscosity (medium and high shear rate), platelet aggregation rate, erythrocyte aggregation rate, and fibrinogen concentration might be used for assessment of rat ABS models independent of pathology methods.

Changes in nitric oxide, angiotensin â ¡ angiopoietin-like protein 4 mRNA, neuregulin 1 mRNA, and platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 in rats with acute blood stasis induced by high-molecular-weight dextran.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the influence of acute blood stasis on nitric oxide (NO), angiotensin Ⅱ(AngⅡ), angiopoietin-like protein 4 (ANGPTL4) mRNA, neuregulin 1 (NRG-1) mRNA, and platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 (PECAM-1) in rats with stasis induced by high-molecular-weight dextran (HMWD). METHODS: Seventy-five Sprague Dawley rats were divided randomly into five groups (n = 15 in each group): control group, immediate group, 1 h group, 3 h group, and 6 h group. A model of acute blood stasis was established via injection of HMWD into the tail vein. After performing electrocardiogram at the predetermined times according to the grouping, we collected blood and cardiac samples for hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining and histopathological examination via transmission electron microscopy. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to detect plasma levels of NO, AngⅡ, and fibrinogen. Real-time polymerase chain reaction was used to detect the expression of ANGPTL4 mRNA and NRG-1 mRNA. Immunohistochemical methods were used to detect PECAM-1 protein expression. RESULTS: The rat model of blood stasis showed blood retention in the capillary lumens. The ST segment showed gradual elevation, and was still elevated at 3 and 6 h after induction of blood stasis. HE staining showed myocardial cell necrosis and dissolution after modeling, along with basement membrane rupture and mitochondrial structural damage. Transmission electron microscopy showed endothelial cell swelling and an increase in absorption vesicles immediately after modeling. Endothelial cell apoptosis was increased at 3 and 6 h after modeling. Cardiac muscle fibers were disordered and intercalated discs were blurred immediately after modeling. There were massive numbers of dissolved cardiac muscle fibers, ruptured basement membranes, and mitochondrial structural damage at 3 and 6 h after modeling. NO plasma concentration was significantly reduced immediately and 1 h after modeling, while it was increased at 3 and 6 h. Ang¢ò plasma concentration was decreased immediately after modeling, but increased at 1, 3, and 6 h. Fibrinogen plasma concentration was significantly increased at immediate, 1, 3, and 6 h after modeling. PECAM-1 protein expression was obviously increased immediately after modeling, at 1, 6 h was found mild augment. Expression of AngPTL4 mRNA was increased at immediate, 1, 3, and 6 h after modeling, and was found further augment at 3, and 6 h. Expression of NRG-1 mRNA was increased at immediate, 1, 3, and 6 h after modeling, and the strongest expression was at 1 h. CONCLUSION: The pathological manifestation of acute blood stasis is characterized by microvascular blood retention. Prolonged blood stasis leads to worsening endothelial cell and cardiomyocyte damage, along with imbalances in the expression of vasomotor factors and increased vascular tone. The pathological damage caused by blood stasis also promotes the expression of cell protection factors.

Microvascular pathological features and changes in related injury factors in a rat acute blood stasis model.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the microvascular pathological characteristics and changes in related injury factors in a rat model of acute blood stasis. METHODS: A total of 75 Sprague-Dawley rats were divided randomly and equally into a control group and four experimental groups assessed at different times after the induction of stasis (0, 1, 3 or 6 h after stasis) (n = 15). The acute blood stasis model was established through rat tail-vein injection of high-molecular-weight dextran. After Electrocardiograph (ECG) detection at predetermined times (0, 1, 3 and 6 h after induction of stasis), the rats were sacrificed and blood and cardiac samples were harvested for analysis. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining and transmission electron microscopy were used for histopathological detection; an enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect thromboxane B2 (TXB2) and 6-keto-prostaglandin F1α (6-Keto-PGF1α) concentrations; a real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) reaction system was used to detect intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1) and vascular cell adhesion molecule1 (VCAM-1) mRNA expression; western blotting was used to detect vascular endothelial cadherin (VE-cadherin) protein expression. RESULTS: The ST segment in the ECG showed gradual elevation after induction of stasis and continued elevation at a high level at 3 and 6 h. The HE staining showed changes in myocardial cell necrosis and tissue dissociation after the induction of stasis, along with inflammatory infiltration. Results of transmission electron microscopy showed immediate changes in blood stasis and lumen occlusion in the microvasculature, along with endothelial cell swelling. After the induction of stasis, TXB2 concentrations gradually increased while 6-Keto-PGF(1α) concentrations were immediately significantly reduced. The TXB(2)/6-Keto-PGF(1α) ratio was maintained at a high level. ICAM-1 mRNA expression showed an unstable elevation while VCAM-1 mRNA expression was significantly reduced after the induction of stasis. Compared with the control group, VE-cadherin protein expression increased at 0 and 3 h after the induction of stasis, while no change occurred at 1 and 6 h. CONCLUSION: The pathological manifestations of acute blood stasis are microvascular blood retention, lumen stenosis and even occlusion. The condition is also called "blood coagulation and weep" in Traditional Chinese Medicine. The blood stasis model resulted in the injury and necrosis of endothelial cells and cardiomyocytes, along with the presence of an imbalance of vasomotor factor levels, platelet activation, and increases in the expression of adhesion molecules and endothelial barrier dysfunction, which corresponds to "blood failed to nourish" in Traditional Chinese Medicine.

Effect of Heweianshen Decoction on Orexin-A and Cholecystokinin-8 Expression in Rat Models of Insomnia.

Objective. To study the effect of Heweianshen decoction (HAD) on orexin-A and cholecystokinin-8 (CCK-8) expression in rat models of insomnia caused by injecting parachlorophenylalanine (PCPA) intraperitoneally. Methods. Fifty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into five groups (10 rats in each group): blank group, model group, and low-, medium-, and high-dose HAD-treated groups. A rat model of insomnia was established by injecting intraperitoneally with PCPA (300 mg/kg body weight). Rats were given normal saline (10 mL/kg) or 5.25, 10.5, and 21 g/kg HAD by intragastric administration once a day for 6 days. After that, the rats were sacrificed to collect the hypothalamus for tests, using radioimmunoassay to detect the expression of orexin-A and CCK-8. Results. Heweianshen decoction reduced the expression of orexin-A and increased the expression of CCK-8 in the hypothalamus of rat model of insomnia. Conclusion. The therapeutic effect of HAD on insomnia is partially attributed to the decreased expression of orexin-A and increased expression of CCK-8.

Effectiveness of Bushen Huoxue Granule (补肾活血颗粒) on 5-serotonin and norepinephrine in the brain of Parkinson's disease patients with depressive state.

OBJECTIVE: To observe the clinical curative effect of Chinese medicine Bushen Huoxue Granule(补肾活血颗粒, BHG) on Parkinson's disease (PD) patients with depressive state. METHODS: Sixty-two PD patients with depressive state were randomly assigned to two groups by using a random number table, 31 in each group. Madopar was given to all as the conventional treatment. The fluoxetine hydrochloride dispersible tablet was given to the patients in the control group and BHG was given to those in the treatment group. The therapeutic course for all was 12 weeks. Before and after treatment, Hamilton depression rating scale (HAMD) was applied to judge the curative effect, and the changes of cerebral neurotransmitters levels in the brain of patients were detected by encephalofluctuograph technique. RESULTS: The scores of HAMD in the two groups were decreased markedly after 12-week treatment. It was lower in the treatment group than that in the control group with significant difference (P<0.01). The contents of norepinephrine (NE) and 5-serotonin (5-HT) in the PD patients were obviously lower than normal value. There was no significant difference between the two groups before treatment (P>0.05). The contents of NE and 5-HT were all increased in the two groups after treatment (P<0.05), with significant differences between the two groups (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: BHG could increase the contents of NE and 5-HT in PD patients' brain to improve the depressive state of PD patients.

Mechanism research on combination of decoction for reinforcing lung qi and argon helium lancet in treatment of non-small cell lung cancer.

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of decoction for reinforcing lung Qi on T-lymphocytic function, interleukin-2 (IL-2) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) in peripheral blood of patients with non-small cell lung cancer after operation with argon helium lancet in order to explore its mechanism. METHODS: A total of 76 patients suffering from non-small cell lung cancer without surgical indication were randomly divided into a treatment group treated with decoction for reinforcing lung Qi and argon helium lancet and a control group treated with argon helium lancet only to observe lymphocytic proliferation, detect the percentage of positive cells in the T-lymphocyte CD28 with flow cytometry and detect the expression of IL-2 and TNF-alpha in peripheral blood with enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: Proliferation of T-lymphocytes and expression of CD28, IL-2 and TNF-alpha in peripheral blood after treatment in the treatment group were more obviously strengthened than those before treatment and those in the control group (all P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The mechanism of using decoction for reinforcing lung Qi and argon helium lancet to treat lung cancer may be realized through promoting T-lymphocytic proliferation, up-regulating expression of CD28, IL-2 and TNF-alpha, and activating T-cells.

Differences in the origin of philosophy between Chinese medicine and Western medicine: Exploration of the holistic advantages of Chinese medicine.

To explore advantages of Chinese medicine (CM) by analyzing differences in the origin of philosophy for human health between CM and Western medicine (WM). Methodologically, a distinctive feature of CM is its systems theory, which is also the difference between CM and WM. Since the birth of CM, it has taken the human body as a whole from the key concepts of "qi, blood, yin-yang, viscera (Zang-Fu), and meridian and channel", rather than a single cell or a particular organ. WM evolves from the Western philosophic way of thinking and merely uses natural sciences as the foundation. The development of WM is based on human structures, or anatomy, and therefore, research of WM is also based on the way of thinking of decomposing the whole human body into several independent parts, which is the impetus of promoting the development of WM. The core of CM includes the holistic view and the dialectical view. Chinese herbal medicines contain various components and treat a disease from multiple targets and links. Therefore, Chinese herbal medicines treat a diseased state by regulating and mobilizing the whole body rather than just regulating a single factor, since the diseased state is not only a problem in a local part of the body but a local reflection of imbalance of the whole body.

The treatment of non-small cell lung cancer by interstitial I-125 seeds implantation combined with chemotherapy and Chinese medicine.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of brachytherapy with computed tomography-guided percutaneous radioactive I-125 seeds interstitial implantation (ISI) synchronized chemotherapy and Chinese medicine (CM) for the treatment of advanced stage of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). METHODS: Ninety patients diagnosed with NSCLC by biopsy were randomly assigned to three groups: the synchronized therapy group (A), the chemotherapy plus CM-treated group (B), and the chemotherapy-treated group (C); a 2-month course of treatment was administered to them all. The effectiveness of treatment was evaluated based on tumor size, tumor markers (carcinoembryonic, squamous cell carcinoma-associated antigen, and cytokeratin 19 fragment), clinical symptoms, and quality of life (QOL) in patients. RESULTS: The total effective rates of Groups A to C were 83.33%, 46.67%, and 43.33%, respectively. The tumor markers were reduced obviously in Group A, showing signifificant difference compared with those in the other two groups. Additionally, QOL was elevated and cancer-related symptoms were alleviated more signifificant in Group A than those in Group C (all P<0.05). CONCLUSION: The synchronized therapy of I-125 implantation with chemotherapy and CM was a safe therapeutic method and can be regarded as a new mode for treatment of advanced-stage NSCLC.

Effects of bushen huoxue yin on brain NF-kB and NO content in the Parkinson's disease model mouse.

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of Bushen Huoxue Yin on nuclear transcription factor kappa B (NF-KB) and nitric oxide (NO) in the brain of the Parkinson's disease (PD) model mouse. METHODS: Forty-five C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into three groups; normal, model and BSHXY treatment groups. Concentrations of NF-KB and NO in mouse brain tissue were determined by ELISA and spectrophotometry, respectively. RESULTS: NF-KB concentration in brain tissue in the model group was 14.04 +/- 4.38 microg x L(-1), which was higher than that in normal (P < 0.01) and BSHXY (P < 0.05) groups. NO content in brain tissue in the model group was 5.93 +/- 0.79 micromol x gprot(-1), which was also higher than that in model (P < 0.01) and BSHXY (P < 0.01) groups. However, there were no significant differences in the content of NF-KB and NO between BSHXY and normal groups (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The mechanism of BSHXY for treatment of PD is possibly related to inhibition of NF-KB activation and decreased NO content in the brain.

[Effect of Bushen Huoxue Decoction on dopamine D2 receptor in the brain of rats with Parkinson's disease].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the mechanism underlying the therapeutic effect of Bushen Huoxue Decoction (BHD), a traditional Chinese medicinal preparation, on dopamine D2 receptor (DRD2) in the brain of rat models of Parkinson's disease (PD). METHODS: A total of 120 SD rats were randomized into normal control group, saline model group and BHD-treated group. In the latter two groups, PD rat models were established by direct injection of 6-OHDA to destruct the substantia nigra compact part (SNC) with corresponding treatments. The behavioral changes of the rats were observed. Radioimmunoassay was employed to determine the changes in the equilibrium dissociation constant (Kd) and maximal binding capacity (B(max)) of DRD2, and immunohistochemistry was used to observe the number of the DRD2-positive cells in the brain of the rats. RESULTS: BHD can markedly improve the behavioral abnormalities of PD model rats. Compared with those in the saline model group, the B(max) of DRD2 in the damaged hemisphere increased while the Kd of BHD decreased significantly after BHD treatment (P<0.01). The number of DRD2-positive cells in BHD-treated group was significantly higher than that in the model group (80.9∓13.59 vs 11.15∓6.78, P<0.01), but showed no significant difference from that in the normal control group (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: BHD can improve the behavioral abnormalities and increase the cerebral expression and affinity of DRD2 in PD rat models.

Clinical research of acupuncture on malignant tumor patients for improving depression and sleep quality.

OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of acupuncture on depression and insomnia of malignant tumor patients. METHODS: Eighty cases of cancer related depression and sleep disorders were randomly divided into 2 groups: treatment 1 group (acupuncture n = 40) and control group (Fluoxetione n = 40). All patients were assessed by Self-rating Depression Scale (SDS), Hemilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD) and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) after treatment for 30 days. RESULTS: Before treatment the SDS and HAMD scores of the trial group were 64.12 +/- 5.34 and 20.92 +/- 2.38, those of the control group were 64.24 +/- 4.98 and 20.72 +/- 2.74, after treatment the SDS and HAMD scores of the trial group were 43.64 +/- 5.28 and 9.88 +/- 1.27 respectively, significantly lower than those of the control group (50.76 +/- 5.42 and 13.72 +/- 2.05 respectively, both P < 0.05). Before treatment the PSQI score of the trial group and the control group were 14.48 +/- 1.71 and 13.92 +/- 2.59, after treatment the PSQI score of the trial group was 7.92 +/- 1.22 after treatment, significantly lower than those of the control group (11.44 +/- 1.89, P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Acupuncture can effectively reduce malignant-related depression, improve sleep quality, and help to improve the quality of life of cancer patients.

[Effect of bushen huoxue granule on dopamine neurotransmitter and dopamine transporter in the brain of patients with Parkinson's disease].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of Bushen Huoxue Granule (BHG) on dopamine (DA) neurotransmitter and dopamine transporter (DAT) in the brain of patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) as an adjunctive therapy. METHODS: Ninety-four PD patients were randomly assigned to two groups, 47 in each group. Madopar was given to all as the basic treatment group. The placebo was given to those in the control group while BHG was given to those in the treatment. The therapeutic course for all was three months. Before and after treatment DA levels in the brain of patients were detected by encephalofluctuograph (EFG) technique. Changes of DAT in the striatum of patients in the treatment group were detected by positron emission tomography (PET) and region of interest (ROI) analysis. RESULTS: (1) Before treatment the DA level was lower in the two groups than the normal value, showing significant difference (P < 0.01), but with no significant difference between the two groups (P > 0.05). After treatment the DA level obviously increased in the two groups, showing significant difference from that before treatment (P < 0.01). No significant difference existed in the DA level in the two groups when compared with the normal value (P > 0.05), but with significant difference between the two groups (P < 0.05). Better results were obtained in the treatment group than in the control group. (2) The DAT radioactive accumulation inside the striatum increased obviously in the treatment group after treatment. ROI analysis showed the total ratio of striatum/cerebellum before and after treatment was 1.86 +/- 0.32 and 2.61 +/- 0.53 respectively, showing statistical difference (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: BHG could improve the DA level of PD patients, and increasing DAT contents in the striatum, thus playing a role in effectively treating PD.

[Effect of Bushenhuoxue Yin on cerebral levels of nitric oxide, tumor necrosis factor-α and interferon-γ in a mouse model of Parkinson disease].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of Bushenhuoxue Yin (BSHXY), a compound traditional Chinese herbal medicine, on nitric oxide (NO), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interferon-γ (IFN-γ) levels in the brain of a mouse model of Parkinson disease (PD). METHODS: Forty-five C57BL/6 mice were randomized into MPTP-induced PD model group, BSHXY treatment group and normal control group. The contents of NO and the two cytokines in the brain tissue of the mice were determined by spectroscopy and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, respectively. RESULTS: The concentration of NO in the brain tissue of the PD model group was 5.93 ∓ 0.79 µmol/g.protein, significantly higher than that in BSHXY group (P<0.01) and normal control group (P<0.01). The levels of TNF-α and IFN-γ in the PD model group were 0.36 ∓ 0.11 ng/L and 0.83 ∓ 0.25 ng/L, respectively, also higher than those in the other two groups (P<0.01 or 0.001). But BSHXY group and the normal control group showed no significant differences in the levels of NO, TNF-α and IFN-γ (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: The therapeutic effect of BSHXY on PD is partially attributed to decreased content of NO, TNF-α and IFN-γ in the brain.

[Effects of bushenhuoxue granules on sleep quality in Parkinson's patients].

OBJECTIVE: To study the effects of Bushenhuoxue Granules on Parkinson's disease sleep scale (PDSS) score in Parkinson's patients. METHODS: 120 patients were enrolled and divided into two groups randomly,the control group were treated with placebo and treatment group with Bushenhuoxue Granules, both group based on Madopar treatment. Double-blinded clinical trial was adopted in treatment period. Follow-up period for 6 months, PDSS was adopted to measure sleep condition of PD patients at baseline time, after 3 months and after 9 months. RESULTS: Bushenhuoxue Granules treatment group showed a higher efficacy than the placebo group in relieving the sleep disorders of Parkinson disease patients,both in treatment and follow-up period (P < 0.01). No adverse effects were found in this trial. CONCLUSIONS: Bushenhuoxue Granules can markedly improve sleep disorders in Parkinson's patients. The effects are stable and obvious along with the process of treatment.

[Effect of scalp point penetration needling on sleep quality and sleep structure of insomnia patients].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the improving effect of scalp point penetration needling on sleep quality and sleep structure for insomnia patients. METHODS: Sixty-six cases of insomnia were randomly divided into a scalp point penetration needling group (observation group, 32 cases) and a routine acupuncture group (control group, 34 cases). The observation group was treated with Houshencong (EX-HN 1) penetrating to Qianshencong (EX-HN 1) and Xinhui (GV 22) penetrating to Shenting (GV 24) etc.; Baihui (GV 20), Anmian (EX- HN 22) and Neiguan (PC 6) etc. were selected in control group. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and micro-sensitive mattress sleep monitoring system were used to observe the sleep quality and sleep structure of the patients before and after treatment, respectively. RESULTS: The completely improved rate of the sleep quality of 65. 6%(21/32)in observation group was superior to that of 35.3 (12/34) in control group (P < 0.05). There were significant differences between two groups in latency of falling asleep, total time of sleep, time of deep sleep stage and more than 5 min awakening times of sleep structure after treatment (all P < 0. 01), the observation group was superior to control group. CONCLUSION: The scalp point penetration needling has more significant effects for improving the sleep quality and sleep structure of insomnia patients than the routine needling.